Blind Snake

Measuring 55 cm in length, this unusual looking Blind Snake was discovered at an elevation of 710 meters, near to primary forest in the Southern Highlands Province of PNG.
Family : TYPHLOPIDAE
Species : Typhlops sp. / Ramphotyphlops sp.
Specimen Size : 55 cm

There are reckoned to be at least 11 species of Blind Snake in Papua New Guinea, though doubtless the true species count is much greater. These are secretive, burrowing snakes which rarely come to the ground surface unless disturbed by earthworks or heavy rain.

Blind Snakes are instantly recognisable by their smooth, cylindrical profile, short tail, small head and tiny eyes : all features which have evolved to suit their burrowing habits. They are not totally blind, however, and are probably able to distinguish between light and dark. Blind Snakes feed mainly on the soft larvae and eggs of ants and termites.

There is a tale to tell about the specimen shown here. I was able to save it from almost certainly being crushed or killed so, hastily taking a few photos, I planned to store the snake overnight in a jar with a heavy, but loose lid and release it the next day. In the morning, hoping to take a closer look and more detailed photos, I was shocked to find the snake had escaped by forcing the lid upwards. It was never found again.

Subsequently I learned that this might be rather an unusual specimen. Based on these images, it is not possible to identify the species with any certainty - it could be Typhlops depressiceps, T. mcdowell, Ramphotyphlops angusticeps or R. multilineatus (Van Wallach, pers. comm.). Its patterning and colour is quite different, however, and it may represent an undescribed species - one of many certainly to be lurking somewhere in the forests of New Guinea.

Blind Snakes are distributed throughout PNG.